Improving Nutrition through Interior Design

Have you ever thought of how your kitchen design affects your diet?

The way you eat + what you eat?

I can’t wait for the day when we build our own house + I get to design my own kitchen. Big, beautiful + bright! I I don’t know the exact design that I would like, but I do know which elements are important to me. For now…. it’s a fun challenge to make the best of the kitchens we have had in our rentals.

It’s important to learn how we can use the space we have to make it convenient + as easy as possible to cook. Having a space we like to cook in will make it more likely for us to use it, rather than getting take out day after day.

My top 3 tips for the ideal kitchen from a nutrition perspective are:

Keep it Clean + Keep it Visible

By having clear counters you are more likely to feel less anxious, less stressed + less overwhelmed in your kitchen. It can help us have clarity of thought to cook and be creative. Kitchens are for cooking, not cleaning. Try to store appliances in cupboards or a pantry. If those aren’t options you can add in some storage shelves and decorate them with bowls, baskets + appliances. But where does the “keep it visible come in?” I like to keep counters clear with the exception of a fruit bowl. It can add a nice touch to your kitchen + you are more likely to eat the food you see when you come into the kitchen. One of the best ways to increase our good gut bacteria is to eat a diverse range of fruits + veggies.

Image from Remodelista

Make it Convenient + Take Pride in your Storage

Convenience is KEY as we are all becoming more “time poor.” It’s unrealistic to have zero packaged food, but there are tricks to making more nutrient dense food choices. Instead of looking at food as “good” or “bad” I like to think good, better + best. Keep the “best” (meaning the least ingredients) stuff at the front of your cupboards so it’s easier to grab. Limit packaged foods as they are often full of sugar which is a “gut killer” as I like to call it. Sugary snacks should be a treat, not an every day food.

When you open up a cupboard you want it to look good. An organized kitchen is more enjoyable to be in. It can motivate us to cook + enjoy meals at home more often. (good for your waistline + your wallet ;))

It is most practical to have shallow cupboards so you don’t have to go digging in the back for food. This goes for fridges as well. If you have the luxury of getting a new fridge, opt for a shallow design so you don’t lose things in the back.

Image from Little Label Co.

Make it Cheery

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the lights seem to get dimmer the longer you’re there? I don’t know about you, but it starts making me feel claustrophobic!

Lighting is a big deal to me as it can make or break a mood. Growing up my mom would always cook with only a few lights on and I couldn’t stand it. When I was in the kitchen…all of the lights were on + the blinds open! Your kitchen is a much happier place when it’s bright. When we are happy we are more likely to choose nutrient dense foods, which in turn fuels a good mood!

If you don’t have a home with big windows, try to add as much light as you can! Warm lights give your kitchen + home a more cozy feel rather than white lights which are more stark.

In addition to light - keep a speaker in our kitchen to play soft tunes while you cook + eat. This can help you feel relaxed and make you more mindful of what you're eating, encouraging you to choose a healthier meal + recognizing when you are full. 

BONUS: if your kitchen is attached to a patio it makes it convenient to eat outside! We can all use more sunshine + Vitamin D. A recent study has suggested that increased Vitamin D can have a positive effect on gut health.

Image from Emilgroup

What I LOVE about my current kitchen is it has HUGE windows. It lets a ton of natural light in which makes for a happy mood + perfect lighting for my food photography ;) The big windows also make the space feel a lot bigger.

The downfall is there is not much cupboard space…which is an issue since I have almost every kitchen appliance there is! The cupboards that act as our “pantry” are very deep. I really don’t like that because it is hard to access food even when it’s organized. I don’t want to put much money into our rental as we don’t plan on being here long term, so my solution has been dollar store baskets + shelf dividers from Ikea. These have made a huge difference.

We cook a LOT, so the ‘work flow’ of the kitchen is a big deal to us. Ideally I would like a wider space between the counter and the island so even when the dishwasher is open we have more space to move around. Considering how small our kitchen is, we do have quite a bit of counter space which is nice!

While I sit here dreaming of designing a kitchen one day - I would love to hear how you have found your kitchen design has improved your nutrition. Leave a comment below!

xo erin

ps I am always adding home ideas to my home Pinterest board for more ideas!